How to develop the bus card reader APP?

Views : 1770
Author : Kathy
Update time : 2026-03-05 08:18:44
1. Clarify Functional Requirements
Before development, the core functionality of the APP or terminal program must be determined
Supports bus card recognition (e.g., IC cards, NFC)
Differentiate card types (ordinary cards, student cards, senior citizen cards, etc.)
Implement the deduction logic (e.g., student card costs 1 yuan, senior citizen card is free)
Display the balance and support recharge operations
Record transaction logs and support offline transaction storage
Data synchronization to the backend server (optional)
2. Select Development Tools and Platforms
Select the appropriate development environment based on the application scenario
Embedded Development: Programming low-level drivers using IDEs such as Keil and IAR, suitable for card reader firmware
NFC/RFID: Integrates a 13.56MHz RFID module, communicating with the main controller via SPI/I2C interfaces
Communication Protocol: Utilizes asymmetric encryption to ensure card authenticity verification and prevent counterfeiting
Database Support: Use SQLite to store local transaction records, ensuring operation even without an internet connection
Simulation Test: Testing code compatibility and response speed using a virtual POS machine platform.

3. Construct Core Functional Modules
Divide the system into multiple manageable functional modules:
Radio Frequency Identification Layer
Responsible for reading card information, decoding 13.56MHz signals, and determining card types (e.g., differentiating red/green cards via color sensor simulation)
Secure Encryption Layer
Verify the validity of the card to prevent illegal copying or tampering, commonly used in real-name public transport card systems
Transaction Processing Layer
Execute the deduction logic and calculate the balance in real time. For example, a student card deducts 1 yuan per transaction, and an error is prompted when the balance is insufficient
Data Synchronization Layer
The transaction logs are uploaded to the cloud server via a 4G module, supporting subsequent reconciliation and data analysis
User interface
Display the words "Bus", balance, and successful deduction prompts, etc. These can be triggered via button-activated card swiping or recharging operations
4. Implementation Process Example (Taking a Simplified Teaching Project as an Example)
Taking the "Cheng Xiaoben" robot simulating a bus card reader as an example:
Initialize the student card balance (e.g., set to 2 yuan) and display the word "Bus" upon startup
Press the function key A: Detect card color
If it is red (student card), deduct 1 yuan from the balance
If it is green (senior citizen card), display the word "Senior" and no charges will be deducted
Press the function key B: Enter the recharge mode to add balance to the student card
Display the current balance in real time and show an error message when the balance is insufficient

5. Deployment and Optimization
Response Time Optimization: Ensure the response time from card swiping to action is kept within 200 milliseconds, meeting the high-frequency usage requirements of public transportation
Offline Mode Support: Enables transactions to be completed even when the network is disconnected, with automatic record uploads upon restoration
UI/UX Optimization: Provide clear visual feedback to enhance user experience
Related News
Read More >>
Why do some buses have only one card reader while others have two? Why do some buses have only one card reader while others have two?
Apr .09.2026
Whether a bus is equipped with one or two card readers mainly depends on the fare calculation method of the route: single-fare routes usually only require passengers to tap their cards once when boarding, so one card reader is sufficient; while distance-based fare routes require passengers to tap their cards both when boarding and alighting to calculate the actual trip cost, hence two card readers are needed.
‌Can Bus Zonal Fare Collection Be Applied to Metro Systems? ‌Can Bus Zonal Fare Collection Be Applied to Metro Systems?
Apr .02.2026
Cardlan Zonal fare collection support tap on and tap out to realize station fare collection.
In which fields can prepaid cards be used for bus card readers? In which fields can prepaid cards be used for bus card readers?
Mar .30.2026
The usage scope of prepayment cards varies by type—single-purpose, multi-purpose, and industry-specific—and extends to travel, salary disbursement, gifts, online payments, financial inclusion, and transportation with retail and tourism integration.
Cardlan Validator support SDK and API for development Cardlan Validator support SDK and API for development
Mar .27.2026
Cardlan's bus card readers explicitly support secondary development and integration, and provide SDKs and API interfaces‌ for system integration and feature customization.